• What is GemFair?keyboard_arrow_down

  GemFair is a pilot project that aims to create a secure and transparent route to market for ethically-sourced artisanal and small-scale mined (ASM) diamonds. By providing artisanal and small-scale miners with access to the global market, offering fair prices and training opportunities, GemFair hopes to improve miners’ livelihoods and foster the sector’s development as a credible and trusted source of diamond supply.

  GemFair’s proposed solution combines dedicated software (an app) and hardware (diamond toolkit) that seeks to enable the digital tracking of ASM diamonds throughout the supply chain and addresses key challenges and risks relating to artisanal and small-scale mining activity. The pilot will initially run in Sierra Leone, where the government has already made significant progress in formalising the artisanal mining sector.

• Why is GemFair engaging with artisanal diamond mining?keyboard_arrow_down

  The artisanal diamond mining sector employs an estimated 1.5 million people in developing countries. Although the task is challenging, GemFair believes that the artisanal mining sector should be recognised and included in international trade. The aim of this project is to support the sector’s drive for formalisation and contribute to its development.

• Why are you starting in Sierra Leone and not elsewhere?keyboard_arrow_down

  The Government of Sierra Leone has made great strides in formalising the ASM sector, and we believe that GemFair can offer an unprecedented opportunity to take this process to the next level. Our decision to pilot the project in Sierra Leone was also influenced by the fact that the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI), an NGO that works to transform the ASM diamond sector, has been present in Sierra Leone for several years and enabled GemFair to pilot its innovative solution with their cooperating mine sites.

• I would like GemFair to come to my country. What can I do?keyboard_arrow_down

  If the pilot is successful in Sierra Leone, GemFair will be looking to expand to other African countries. If you are a government official, a donor or an NGO and would like to speak to the GemFair team, please get in touch.

• How will GemFair have a positive impact on development?keyboard_arrow_down

  GemFair aims to empower miners by teaching them about diamond valuation and improving their livelihoods by offering them a consistently better deal. GemFair will focus on supporting the government and other development stakeholders in bringing traceability to the supply chain and formalising the ASM-sector using an innovative digital solution. We will be measuring our impact rigorously through qualitative and quantitative surveys as well as various monitoring and evaluation activities.

• What standards are you using to ensure that mine sites are indeed ethical?keyboard_arrow_down

  Artisanal miners must pass our initial due diligence checks—which are closely aligned with the OECD’s Due Diligence Guidance for Sourcing Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas Annex II—including proving that they possess a license to operate. Our due diligence verification includes a site visit to gather information about the mine’s precise location and working conditions, ensuring that our gated criteria is being met. We also screen the candidate through an international database. Once a candidate passes our gated criteria, they join our assurance programme, where we provide a suite of training and capacity building for miners and their workers to raise their standards. You can find more information on the GemFair Responsible Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining Assurance Programme here.

• What technology are we using?keyboard_arrow_down

  We are developing a tailored technology solution with dedicated hardware and software. These have been designed to meet the ASM sector’s particular requirements, both in terms of being practical (weatherproof, hard-wearing, functioning in different light conditions) and risk-mitigating (featuring digitally supported bag-and-tag equipment and GPS location of diamonds). If proven successful, the technology used in GemFair will be integrated into the industry blockchain platform De Beers is currently developing, providing an added layer of assurance for ASM production.

• Does GemFair also trace other minerals, such as gemstones and gold?keyboard_arrow_down

  The pilot will focus exclusively on diamonds. However, with minor tweaks to the software, the solution could potentially be used for other minerals in the future.

Opportunities

Join us on our mission to create equal opportunities for all by supporting artisanal mining and unlocking global markets. We are always looking for talented and passionate people to join our team. If you don't see an open position for the role that you are interested in, please do not hesitate to reach out directly to jobs@gemfair.com.

• Senior Fullstack Engineerkeyboard_arrow_down

  We are currently recruiting for the role of Senior Fullstack Engineer within the GemFair team.

  For further details please refer to this link